Reversible door



June 4, 1968 L. J. STARCEVIC} 3,386,209

REVERSIBLE DOOR Filed March 28, 1966 FIG. 2 FIG. 3

INVE NTOR LOUIS J. STARCEVIC BY @194, K

ATTORNEY United States Patent tion of Missouri Filed Mar. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 537,883 9 Claims. (Cl. 49-501) ABS CT OF THE DISCLOSURE A reversible door adapted for mounted disposition in a door opening so as to be swingable in either preselected direction without requiring a modification of the door opening, which door comprises a pair of opposed facing elements formed of sheet material and having upper, lower and lateral marginal flanges; reinforcing members provided between said facing elements and being of such extent as to cause the flanges of the facing elements to terminate in spaced apart relationship. Resilient jamb-sealing members mounted on the side margins of said door having a portion extending between the spaced apart lateral flanges of the facing elements and an outer part supported upon said flanges for engaging the door opening jambs; there also being a threshold sealing-jamb on the lower margin of said door.

Background 0 the invention This invention relates in general to doors and, more particularly, to a reversible door of flush type adapted for disposition within a door opening for operation in preselected manner.

Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a door which is so uniquely constructed that it may be hingedly mounted within a wall opening for opening swinging in either selected direction without the necessity of modifying such door or the sides of the receiving opening.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a door which incorporates novel means for accommodating the door for snug closure within the wall opening despite any encountered imperfections in the dimensions of the wall opening, regardless in which manner the door may be hung.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a door which is comprised of opposed facing elements formed of durable sheet material having reinforcing members provided between said facing elements and secured thereto for engaging same in their upper, lower and side marginal zones with each of said facing elements having an upper flange, a lower flange and a pair of side flanges extending around the perimeter of same, and jamb-sealing members carried in the reinforcing members adjacent the side marginal zones of said door, said side flanges being laterally outwardly spaced from the adjacent margin of the proximate reinforcing member for presenting a yieldable support for the related sealing member to effect an air-proof joint between the side margin of the door and the confronting jamb.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a door of the character stated which may incorporate a metal skin with rigid reinforcing means, such as fabricated of wood or the like, thereby producing a door of long wearing qualities and marked stability for maintaining dimensional integrity during usage.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a door of the character stated which eliminates the problems associated with maintaining inventories of various models of doors so that but a single model need 3,3862 Patented June 4, 1968 be retained against demands for either types of swinging action thus conducive to marked economies in manufacture, as well as simplifying construction at the job site with resultant decreased labor costs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a door of the character stated which is adapted for high volume, low cost production, which is easily and readily installed into selected operative position; which when mounted cooperates with the door opening for snug closure; and which is reliable and durable in usage.

Other objects and details of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing (one sheet) wherein FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a reversible door constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the latch carrying end of the door.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the hingebearing end of the door.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal transverse sectional View taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now by reference numerals to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally designates a reversible door adapted for mounted disposition within a conventional door opening (not shown) with the handle adjacent either preselected jamb, and for swinging in predetermined direction. Door A is of the panel type incorporating a pair of identical facing elements 1, 1 formed desirably of relatively thin sheet metal having inherent limited resiliency. Facing elements 1, 1' are turned inwardly at their upper and lower margins to define upper and lower end'flanges 2, 3 and 2', 3, respectively, which are of but relatively short extent. Provided between facing elements 1, 1 for reinforcing purposes are upper and lower, transversely extending, parallel, wooden filler members or supports 4, 5, respectively, which are secured at their ends to upright lateral filler members or supports 6, 7; said latter being substantially coextensive with the vertical dimension of door A, but terminating in immediately spaced relationship to upper and lower flanges 2, 3 and 2, 3 (see FIGURE 4). Filler members or supports 4, 5, 6, 7 are fixed to facing elements 1, 1' in accordance with current expedients for integration of such components into a unified structure, with the central spacing between said filler members, as indicated at 0, remaining open for enhancing the insulation and acoustic-inhibition properties of door A.

Facing elements 1, 1' :are provided in their lateral portions with forwardly and rearwardly directed flanges 8, 8 and 9, 9', respectively; said flanges 8, 9 being located on the hinge side of door A, as indicated at a, and said flanges 8', 9' being presented on the handle side of door A, as indicated at b. Each flange 8, 9 is provided with an outer portion 10, substantially planarwise normal to the related facing elements 1, 1' and with an inner portion 11, likewise perpendicular to the planes of facing elements 1, 1', there being an intervening short shoulder 12 parallel to the planes of facing elements 1, 1'. The ends of said inner flange portions 11 are spaced apart by an intervening spacing, designated s.

Flanges 8 9' each incorporate an outer portion 10', which inclines laterally outwardly into generally converging relationship so that the said flange 8 will incline rearwardly as well from its forward edge and said flange 9' will incline as well forwardly from its rearward edge and said flanges are each continuous with an inner portion 11, planarwise normal to facing elements 1, 1, through a shoulder 12', the plane of which is parallel to facing elements 1, 1'. The said inner flange portions 11' terminate spacedly from each other with the intervening zone being indicated 5.

The outer faces of upright supports 6, 7 are in immediate, but slightly spaced, relationship to the inner faces of the adjacent inner flange portions 11, 11, as the case may be, and with said uprights each having formed on their said outer faces a central, vertically extending groove or recess 13, coextensive with said uprights, and opening into the proximate spacing s, s.

Recesses 13 of upright supports 6, 7 receive the stem 14 of a sealer 15, T-shape in cross section, embodying a flat head portion 16 which is normal to the associated stem 14 and is of slightly increased thickness. Stems on their opposite faces integrally carry throughout their length a multiplicity of projecting spines or fingers 16 for effecting a frictional, snug wedging engagement with the confronting walls of the associated recess 13 to retain sealers against inadvertent displacement. Sealers 15 are fabricated, preferably, of resilient material, such as rubber or the like, for providing desired yieldability in accommodating door A to the related opening as will be discussed hereinbelow. Stems 14 project outwardly between the proximate inner flange portions 11, 11 with the related head portion 16 being disposed with their forward and rearward end surfaces abutting against shoulders 12 and 12' and with their inner faces abutting the outwardly directed surfaces of the adjacent inner flanges 11, 11' (see FIGURE 5). The thickness of sealer heads 16 is substantially the same as the transverse extent of shoulders 12, 12 whereby the outer faces of heads 16 are in alignment with the proximate portion of outer flanges 10, 10'. It will thus be seen that the lateral flanges of door A together with the engaged sealers 15 present a yieldable door edge which is urged laterally outwardly into intimate contact with the door jambs so as to provide a relatively air-proof fit therewith. In the event the door jambs of the particular opening might be spaced apart a distance slightly less than intended, as through normal tolerance, the said sealers 15 will give inwardly by the springability of flanges 11, 11 which are forced inwardly toward the adjacent outer face of uprights 6, 7. Thus, said sealers 15 are normally biased outwardly but by reason of their resilient mounting are adapted to permit accommodation of more closely related door jambs. Thus, door A is unusually adapted for snug fitting with door openings of varying width, having an inherent adjustment feature which obviates the necessity on the job site of effecting the costly alteration of a door frame or of a reduction of the door width.

The edge portions of facing elements 1, 1', with flanges 8, 9, upon the hinge side a, together with the included portion of head 16 of the respective sealer 15 are cut away in spaced apart zones as at 18, 19, 20 to provide laterally, forwardly, and rearwardly opening recesses 21 wherein the outer face of upright filler member 7 with the received portion of sealer stem 14 is exposed for securement thereagainst of one leaf of a conventional type, door-hinge (not shown) for mounting door A upon the door jarnb (not shown). It is to be particularly noted that the hinge-receiving portions of door A consist of recesses 21 which, as stated, extend from front to back of said door. Thus, the particular leaf of the hinge to be secured may be easily mounted from either side of door A without further preparation of the mounting surface. This feature contrasts markedly with the customary necessity of routing a lateral portion of the edge face of a door to a selected depth for accepting a hinge leaf after determination has been made as to the disposition of such door within the intended opening. Such routing extends in but a single direction depending upon the manner in which the door is to be hun g.

Door A on its handle side, as indicated at b, is provided with an opening 22 which extends through facing elements 1, 1', and upright support 6 for receiving, from either side of said door, a handle member together with latch operating means. As shown in FIGURE 2, the lateral portion of door A, aligned with opening 22, is suitably devoid of flanges 8', 9' and the associated portion of the related sealer 15 to allow for the provision of an opening 23 which suitably connects with opening 22 for receiving the latch bolt (not shown).

As may be seen in FIGURE 4, the lower edge of door A carries a resilient footing 24 adapted for sealing engagement with the door threshold (not shown). Said footing is fabricated preferably of extruded material, such as plastic, rubber, or the like and is coextensive with the width of door A. Said footing incorporates upper flanges, indicated at 25, 26 which are received between facing lower flanges 3, 3 and the confronting under face of uprights 6, 7 and horizontal filler member 5 so as to maintain said footing 24 against accidental dislodgernent. On its under, or threshold engaging surface, said footing member is provided with projecting edge fingers 27, 27' and a central, tubular portion 28 which latter serves to provide a yieldable snug engagement with the threshold for bringing about proper door closure. It is apparent that the said footing 24 will thus readily accommodate door A to any inadvertent discrepancies in the over-all height of the door opening and particularly with respect to any accidental inadvertencies in the height of the threshold. Accordingly, in view of the foregoing it is readily apparent that door A is uniquely constructed so as to bring about intimate engagement with the jambs, threshold, and header portion of a door opening despite any inaccuracies in the dimensions of the same. Furthermore, said door without alteration or modification at the job site can be mounted for swinging in either direction and disposed so that the handle may be on either side of the opening. It is apparent from the above description that door A may be most economically manufactured and the same readily conduces to marked economies in labor of installation as well as in production and handling costs.

A most critical feature of door A is the fact that flanges 8', 9' and the outer face of the interposed head 16 define chords upon an are formed on a radius of 5 or less inches. Thus, the center of such are would be at a point midway between facing members 1, 1 and with the radiuses being preferably in the upper range of about 3 to 5 inches. This unique relationship of the said flanges and outer face of the intervening head 16 assure of proper flush-tight engagement of door A within the related opening and render the said door A for accommodating the confronting jamb despite any imperfections and the like therein.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, and arrangement and combination of the several parts of the reversible door may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A reversible door for flushwise disposition within a door opening comprising a rectangular body having opposed facing elements formed of durable sheet material, reinforcing members provided between said facing elements and secured thereto for engaging same in their upper, lower, and side marginal zones, each of said facing elements having an upper flange, a lower flange and a pair of side flanges extending about the perimeter thereof, the flanges of one facing element being directed toward the flanges of the other facing element, said side flanges of said facing elements being spaced laterally outwardly of the adjacent face of the proximate reinforcing member, jamb-sealing members carried in the said reinforcing members provided in the side marginal zones of said door, said jamb-sealing members having portions extending laterally outwardly of the adjacent side flanges.

2. A reversible door as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by a threshold sealing member carried in the reinforcing member located in the lower marginal zone of said door.

3. A reversible door as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said body together with the included portions of the related jamb-sealing member being cut away on one side margin to define spaced-apart hingereceiving recesses, said recesses extending from facing element to facing element.

4. A reversible door as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said reinforcing members comprising an upright member adjacent each side of said door and an upper and lower horizontal reinforcing member extending between the upper and lower ends of said uprights respectively in the upper and lower portions of said door respectively, means for securing said reinforcing members and said facing elements into a unified structure, the side flanges of the facing elements being in spaced-apart relationship, there being a resilient jamb-sealing member carried upon each upright reinforcing member for projection laterally outwardly through the spacing between the proximate facing elements side flanges.

5. A reversible door as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said jamb-sealing members being of T- shape cross section having a stem portion and a head portion, said uprights each having a recess in its outwardly directed face for receiving the stern of the related jambsealing member, the outer portion of the stem of the related jamb-sealing member projecting through the spacing between the adjacent side flanges for presentation of the related head thereof outwardly of the outer faces of said side flanges and into substantially planar parallel relationship with respect to the confronting jamb.

6. A reversible door as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by said door having on one side margin a plurality of spaced-apart recesses which extend from facing element to facing element.

7. A reversible door as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by a yieldable threshold sealing member being carried upon the lower margin of said door.

8. A reversible door as defined in claim 4, and further UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,278,331 3/ 1942 Meyercord 52-619 XR 2,666,945 1/ 1954 Kelly 49382 XR 2,799,063 7/1957 Miller 49-489 XR 2,948,366 8/1960 Kelly et al. 49501 2,949,651 8/1960 Hill 49-488 XR 3,153,817 10/1964 Pease 52-619 KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner. 

